Sure, I’d love to assist with that!
Despite the legislative uncertainties associated with the popular social media platform, TikTok, Joe Biden’s presidential campaign remained active on the platform. The commitment to the platform signaled dedication towards reaching a comprehensive demographic, a need further amplified by the largely digital nature of campaign strategies amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August 2020, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order, attempting to force the Chinese-owned company to either sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. Trump cited national security concerns that the Chinese Communist Party might access American users’ data. Despite Trump’s pronounced intention of removing TikTok from U.S. operation, the Biden campaign remained active on the platform.
There were several reasons attributed to the Biden campaign’s decision. First, TikTok’s user demographic displayed impressive reach towards a younger audience, a category comprised of crucial swing voters in the presidential election. With over hundreds of million active monthly users, primarily consisting of teens and young adults, TikTok provided an avenue to engage with potential voters who are difficult to reach through traditional advertising mediums.
Second, TikTok’s format of engaging, short video content facilitated potential direct interaction with audiences. These interactions could potentially personalize Biden’s persona, breaking the perhaps seemingly distant image of the then-presidential candidate. The format also opened up room for volunteers and supporters to participate actively in the campaign, sharing user-created content supporting their preferred candidate.
However, it wasn’t without risk. Staying active on a platform that was under scrutiny for potential national security risks was a gambit. By doing so, the Biden campaign often faced criticism, with opponents arguing that it was compromising the nation’s security for the sake of reaching out to voters. Nonetheless, the Biden campaign deemed the platform’s potential benefits as outweighing the possible drawbacks.
The Biden campaign’s use of TikTok also demonstrated its innovative approach to presidential campaigns, unfettered by constraints of traditional mediums. By engaging the digital sphere more extensively, the campaign illustrated its willingness to adapt to changing times and consumer habits.
In conclusion, despite political tumult centered around TikTok, Biden’s campaign chose to navigate these uncertain waters, illustrating their commitment to voter outreach and representation. The decision to stay on TikTok demonstrated Biden’s campaign as being strategic and flexible, capable of adjusting their tactics based on evolving circumstances.
